FLINTSHIRE needs 7,400 new homes within the next nine years - the equivalent of Connah's Quay and Shotton combined.

Planners say this staggering number of properties will have to be constructed in the county to cope with expected population increases and inward migration.

They revealed the statistic this week as councillors voted to take forward Flint-shire's second draft unitary development plan (UDP).

Some 17,000 individual observations and complaints were lodged with the council following the publication of the first draft UDP. However, the authority's development plans panel believes the new draft plan will appease the majority of those.

In a report to the full council meeting on Tuesday, acting director of environment and regeneration, Dave Faulkner, said: 'The council has 'accepted' - either directly or indirectly -

the points made in a significant proportion of the total objections. In theory, the proposed changes will effectively 're-move' around 50% of the original volume of objections, which is a substantial number and a clear indication of how responsive the council has been to community concerns.'

Councillors accepted 143 pages of amendments to the UDP on Tuesday.

Many of the changes have expanded on protected 'green space', for example the playing field on Bagillt Road, Greenfield, to safeguard it against future developments.

There will now be another six-week public consultation period on the UDP before it is expected to go to a public inquiry in the summer of 2007.

The UDP is designed to cover planning and development in the county until 2015.